The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-09-03
editorial 8rtets.
BY REV. I. M. ATWOOD, D. D.
Canton. N. Y.

- LOS DCCu LCLudIbeu OII6D, GuHU pDy-
sicians love to preserve the mystery that,
from q remote and dark past, has so
shrouded their science as to make it &C.
cult to the common mind. But the doc
tor retorts that the clergy also have their
mysteries; and there have not been want
ing those among them who say that
church and clergy are maintained by the
assumptions of knowledge Of things un-
known to people in general. And both
physicians and ministers have observed
in their experience with lawyer that the
barrister usually translates into a lingo
peculiar to his profession, the plainest
statements Of fact.
But so far as our observation extends
there are really no exceptions to the rule
that every profession, trade or guild
prides itself ON the possession of some
kind of knowledge not open to the unini-
tiated. 1t is amusing enough to see what
airs mechanic, in any line, will give
himself, not only in presence Of laymen,
but equally in company with a member
OF some other craft Nor does the sweet
self delusion stop here. The common
laborer is as secure in the consciousness
Of knowing something that you do not as
the magician himself. Here is another
touch OF nature that shows the whole
world to be of kin.
Judge Chandler, of Pennington, Me-,
decides that whispering is a special pre-
rogative of church choirs, and refuses to
consider it misdemeanor. Judge Chan
dler's kindness to choirs speaks volumes
as to the amount of music in his soul;
but has he not let loose on the rest of us
an already intolerable affl .ction? Choirs
have exercised an extravagant license in
whispering heretofore; but it has been
mutually understood and agreed between
them and their victims that whispering is
not matter of right but of sufferauce,
and that there is limit to forbearance:
but with Judge Chandler to support them
what liberties will they not take?
The loss of two such men in sin
gle week as DR.. Spencer Baird and Alvan
Clark, while it makes a great ,chasm in the
highest circles Of science, is we'll calculated
to impress the public mind with our ma
tional riches in men of world. wide scien-
tific celebrity. The career of these two
honored and eminently useful citizens
should convey to our young men the les
son that there are other than business or
political pursuits in which ambition may
be gratifed and prizes won. 1t is pleas.
ure to know that men so absorbed II
speciality as these were, found room in
their busy burdened lives to display the
sweetest graces of everyday Christian life
An opinion, without distinct reasons
for it, is worth Just as much as the an.
thor's known weight of character and his
opportunities of information on the sub.
ject are worth, and no more. The opin
ion that co-education in colleges perpe-
trates the "erude civilization" of the
country school, seems to us destitute of
discernment. Co-education IL college is
rather a suggestion Of the uniform Amer
ican experience, that it is better on the
whole, both for girls and boys, that they
be educated in the same school and class.
es, than that they be educated separately,
There are exceptions, no doubt, but our
Judgment is, that the experiment has JUS
titled a reasonable expectation.
1t was we'll said by Prof. Drummond,
at Chatauqua, that common error of
Christian people, as we'll as OF those who
would like to be Christian people, is to
seek for effects without their proper caus-
es. They want JOY, rest, peace, ife-au
of which are effects, and can never be had
by seeking fo' them directly. These ef-
fects come naturally and inevitably from
certain causes. Fulfill the conditions and
You set in operation the causes; the OBJ
iects of your desire result from these.
Jesus long ago stated the whole case. A
corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit.
Make the tree good and good fruit is the
consequence. The error is in attempt
ing to get good fruit while the tree re-
AAhAbS NOAl tBls
Nothing could better show the chance
element in financial operations in our
great money centers than the confidence
and the credit given to men and firms
that have no real capital. The Henry s.
Ives concern began with nothing, exceot
assurance cheek. Instead Of being driv-
Gu out in disgrace it thrived, won CEN
eral confidence, then admiration, and ran
its adventures mp into the millions. II
Ives had not been aided by the banks
and by his fellow spectators Of all grades
he could not have stirred step. Ii now
seems rs it they were all wild to give him
such opportunities. But they will repeat
their experience tomorrow. The truth
Is, that the majority Of men engaged in
operating with money and stocks have a
vast amount Of latent confidence in luck.
chance, cheek. They are not surprised
that men without adollar" soon become
millionaires. They do not know how it
Is done; there is the fascinating mystery
about the matter. They expect it to be
done; they hope by some lucky throw 20
do IL Themselves On fbay ora oil k-